Youth Members of Parliament have criticized government’s decision to postpone the celebration of the International Youth Day from12th to 26th August.
The United Nations General Assembly declared every 12th August as the International Youth Day on 17th December 1999 in recognition of the numerical strength of the young people and their potential to contribute towards social transformation.
The day is used to promote awareness and draw attention to youth issues in the world and also for governments to evaluate the different policies, programs and interventions put up to empower youth.
Now, under their umbrella group, the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs, MPs say that the decision by the government to postpone activities to celebrate this day indicates that less attention is given to youth matters.
Led by their Chairperson, Boniface Okot, the Youth representative for Northern region, the MPs demanded for an apology from the government for its failure to celebrate youth, whom they described as the country’s important resource. Hon. Okot speaking……..
This week, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi informed Parliament about the postponement of the International Youth Day celebrations which had been scheduled for Friday, at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City. END